Is Phil Jones the answer to Manchester United's midfield problems?

Phil Jones

If there was one thing that has been troubling David Moyes since the start of his reign as Manchester United’s manager, it is the Roy Keane sized hole that is present in the center of the Red Devils midfield. Even during Ferguson’s last years at the club, the problem existed, but such was the quality of the attack and the defense that the midfield, at times, was bypassed.

But, Moyes, certainly doesn’t have that luxury now. Although, in Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney, he does boast of arguably one of the most all-around strike partnerships in Europe at the moment, the defense isn’t anywhere near that level. With Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic approaching the twilight of their careers, Moyes certainly doesn’t have the experience at the center of defense, which he would have ideally liked, in his first season with the club.

Having said that, Evra has been in fine form since the start of the season and, either Ferdinand or Vidic have been available for almost every game so far, to shore up the defense. With David De Gea, showing all the signs that he has what it takes to become one of the best keepers that this historic club has ever seen, the defense certainly looks a whole better.

With both ends of the pitch looking in good shape with every passing game, the center of midfield is one which raises plenty of questions. Moyes went all out in the summer, trying to get in at least of couple of world class central midfielders and the ultimately doomed pursuit of Fabregas and Alcantara was a testament to the fact that Moyes understood that there was a flaw in the side that needed to be corrected. In the end, Fellaini was the only central midfielder that was brought in and that certainly raised a few eye brows.

On the fact of it, it looked like the perfect move. The summer acquisition of Fellaini was meant to shore up the midfield and provide the physicality and steel to the midfield, that has been lacking since a certain Irishman left the club. But, it certainly looks like Fellaini will need some time to settle in and so far, looks out of his depth. The Belgian has been found wanting on more a few occasions, as a result of his inability to move the ball quickly and certainly taking his time adjusting to life in Manchester.

With Anderson and Cleverley both being injured at various points so far, Moyes has had to turn to a certain Phil Jones to double up as a central midfielder on more than one occasion this season. Sunday’s game against Arsenal was arguably one of the best displays put forth by the Englishman so far in his United career. The fact that Jones started the game in central midfield, alongside Carrick, ahead of Cleverley and Fellaini, showed the amount of trust Moyes had on the Englishman’s ability and Jones certainly didn’t disappoint.

Jones hassled and harried the Arsenal midfield, and didn’t allow them a minute on the ball. His all-action style of play complemented Carrick’s slick passing and the pair ran rings around the famed Arsenal midfield and dominated possession in the first half. What the opening 45 minutes did was give Moyes a glimpse of what he can expect if Jones plays there regularly. Whilst, Jones himself has admitted that he sees himself as a center half in the future, the fact is that, right now, such is the lack of options for Moyes that Jones might well be called play there again, before too long.

And, on the evidence of his passing performance against Arsenal and the few other games he has played in central midfield, so far, it looks like he can certainly do a job there. Whilst his passing range is fairly limited and isn’t the best long-term solution, at the moment, he looks like Moyes’s best bet to play alongside Carrick, if the Scot wants to continue playing with just the two in the middle of the park. Whilst he is not best in the world, he certainly is the best option at United right now, capable of solving Moyes’s midfield conundrum.